Jamie Ramsey gives you an all-access pass into the world of the Cincinnati Reds

THE SUN CAME UP WITH NO CONCLUSIONS…

Photos fresh out of the oven…

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I had a very enjoyable evening last night hanging out with my friend Bart Swain, the Indians PR man. Bart invited me over to his place for a quaint little cookout with friends. I met his very affable mom and dad and chatted it up a little with Indians’ manager Manny Acta, who happens to be a world class guy. Former Reds outfielder and current Tribe hitting coach Jon Nunnally was also there enjoying the good food and relaxing atmosphere. I met Jon when I was on the Reds ground crew in 1997 and he’s always been one of my favorite people ever since. The best part of the evening was eating something other than restaurant food! Good times.

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Here are a few items from the Reds media relations department that I wanted to pass along to you guys…

Spring BreakOutfield box, outfield reserve and lawn tickets for both games of Wed’s day/night doubleheader at Goodyear Ballpark can be purchased for half price…the Reds will meet the Brewers at 1:05 p.m., followed by the Indians at 7:05…log on to reds.com or call (623) 882-3130.

Deadline ApproachingWednesday at 5:00 p.m. ET is the deadline for fans to purchase the 10-game Power Pack, their last opportunity to get Opening Day tickets without purchasing season ticket packages…tickets can be purchased at reds.com/powerpack.

Wire To WireThe grand opening of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum’s exhibit honoring the 1990 World Series wire-to-wire championship team has been scheduled for Thu, 3/25 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m….the event also will celebrate the release of a commemorative Maker’s Mark bottle that features the 1990 club….tickets are $80 per person for the general public and $70 for Reds Hall of Fame and Museum members and Maker’s Mark Ambassadors…tickets include parking, 2 drink tickets, a buffet dinner and a program that features a Q&A with 2010 Reds Hall of Fame inductee Chris Sabo and other members of that historic team.

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FYI – Aroldis Fever takes the mound Wednesday afternoon against the Brewers. The Reds play a day-night doubleheader that day (St. Patty’s Day). Game 1 vs. Milwaukee at 4:05pm EST and Game 2 vs Cleveland at 10:05pm EST.

DAYTON, OH – Dayton Dragons team photographer Nick Falzerano has been selected as one of five category winners in the ESPN the Magazine “The Shot” Sports Photography Contest. Falzerano was selected by a panel of judges as the winner in the “Mascots” category for his photograph of the Famous Chicken at Fifth Third Field.

The winning photo

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While I was in my perch yesterday at Goodyear Ballpark scoring my second game of the day, Reds Vice President and Assistant General Manager Bob Miller marched into the pressbox and said he sent me an email announcing a big trade. Since I don’t take my computer to the ballpark (I don’t need any added distractions while I’m trying to pay attention the game), I scrambled to pick up my Blackberry to check the news. I should’ve guessed Bob’s “trade announcement” was a tongue-in-cheek parody…

Today an emotional and teary-eyed Reds Clubhouse Manager Rick Stowe announced that the team had acquired Tim and Lucy from “Cookin on Wood” (caterers) for Tony “Mort” Walker and a Stowe to be named later.

“It was a tough decision but one we felt we had to make,” said Rick Stowe in between numerous sobs.” But did you taste that Chicken Cordon Bleu today? I don’t think Mort (or any of the rest of the Stowes) can even spell it let alone cook it.”

The biggest dilemma will be which Stowe will be the clubbie to be named later. Bernie would be the best bet, since he’s in his 73rd year (which of course is his free agent walk year). Mark is also on the downhill and is mostly a platoon clubbie at this point in his career. We pray that it won’t have to be Adam or Luke who are both young and under control for the next 6 decades.

Said Hall of Fame announcer Marty Brennaman: “It’ll be a sad day if they have to move Bernie. I remember when Bernie first started in 1937. I was in my third year announcing with Red Barber and you could see the ability just oozing out of that young man.”

This is exactly why I like Bob. He’s up for having some fun from time to time. It gets to be a very long season very fast if you can’t keep things loose. Nice work, Miller.

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That’s all for now. I’ll be headed to the ballpark soon to see our old friend Adam Rosales.

I’ll be back later with some photos from the game…

As always, I really genuinely appreciate you folks logging on. It’s so nice to be able to share all of this stuff with you, so thank you very very very much.

Be safe, have fun and pursue happiness!….and NEVER EVER cross a street without looking both ways.

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